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A review by underscorelsa
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
fast-paced
4.75
I might change the rating on this one at some point, because it definitely felt very between a 4.25 and a 4.75. (July 3rd 2025: yeah, I changed it. I have been thinking about this book for way too long not to bump it higher...)
The magic system was AAMAAZINNGG, I loved it sososo much. It kind of felt like coding??? which I am not complaining about in the slightest, it was really insanely great.
I loved the themes behind it. Sciona had been a passionate mage, entering into the High Magistry even though it was frowned upon, eager to prove everyone's beliefs about women wrong. And when The Big Reveal happens, everyone blames her breakdown on the fact that she's a woman (how moody they are, this profession isn't made for them, you don't fit here). And now she has to decide whether she's going to stick to her work which she has done over the years or use her position to try to make a change, even if it costs her her life's work. This topic of morality never lets me down, honestly.
There's also colonialism, which was an insane ride for me and the one I fell most compelled about, but also faith, social status, prejudice (Thomil, they will NEVER make me hate you, you were so right every single time), family...
The last part of the plot (from depositing the spells on the tower until the trial ) didn't quite convince me, and that's why I didn't give this book 5 stars. I guess it dragged on a bit too much, especially the part where her archmage mentor takes her in. Again, this whole part felt a bit worse than what the rest of the book was, but that part in particular just fell flat. I will say that from that final point, the story did get on its legs again. I really liked the ending of this book.
This was such a great book, and I can't wait to read more of Wang's work.
The magic system was AAMAAZINNGG, I loved it sososo much. It kind of felt like coding??? which I am not complaining about in the slightest, it was really insanely great.
I loved the themes behind it. Sciona had been a passionate mage, entering into the High Magistry even though it was frowned upon, eager to prove everyone's beliefs about women wrong. And when The Big Reveal happens, everyone blames her breakdown on the fact that she's a woman (how moody they are, this profession isn't made for them, you don't fit here). And now she has to decide whether she's going to stick to her work which she has done over the years or use her position to try to make a change, even if it costs her her life's work. This topic of morality never lets me down, honestly.
There's also colonialism, which was an insane ride for me and the one I fell most compelled about, but also faith, social status, prejudice (Thomil, they will NEVER make me hate you, you were so right every single time), family...
The last part of the plot (
This was such a great book, and I can't wait to read more of Wang's work.